Scientists finally understand how pitcher plants developed the taste for flesh

The research team of scientists from Japan, China, and the U.S. found that although each of the species developed their appetite for insects independent of each other, all three ended up using remarkably similar methods to feed themselves.

Scientists have for the first time sequenced the genome of a carnivorous plant known as the Australian pitcher plant - or Cephalotus follicularis.

A new study examining the evolution of flesh-eating plants has found striking similarities in different species despite the fact that they live continents apart. This is likely because the enzymes used to break down food all perform similar jobs in regards to catching prey. What did it take for carnivorous plants such as the pitcher plant to evolve the ability to derive some of their nutrients from flesh?

Carnivorous plants grow in very nutrient-poor habitats and produce carbon through the usual photosynthetic processes, just like other plants.

As it was said before, the explanation for the evolution has been a topic for many studies through the years, as scientists have wondered how is it possible that a plant developed this unique lifestyle. They also looked at digestive juices in another carnivorous plant, a sundew, which has leaves with sticky little hairs that trap insects like flypaper.

Australian pitcher plants evolved to include carnivorous pitcher leaves and non-carnivorous flat leaves and that feature allowed the scientists to analyze the genetic basis for carnivory by comparing the two types of leaves. The Australian pitcher plant is more closely related to starfruit than the other pitcher plants, the Asian pitcher plant is more closely related to buckwheat, and the American pitcher plant is more closely related to kiwis. It's a classic case of convergent evolution, which describes how unrelated organisms develop similar adaptations to their respective environments.

"These plants have a genetic tool kit, and they're trying to come up with an answer to the problem of how to become carnivorous", one of the authors, University at Buffalo biologist Victor A. Albert, explained.

"In order to be a pitcher plant, you need to trap liquid and attract insects, have them fall in and not let them get out, and secrete enzymes that will do the prey digestion for you". "And in the end, they all come up with the same solution", Dr Albert said.

The team of scientists sequenced and analyzed the nuclear genome of the Australian pitcher plant, which drowns its prey in an inescapable Value-Added Tax of digestive juices.

Therefore, it seems there aren't many paths available for plants to become meat-eaters.

"Even more exciting was that within some of these enzyme families ... changes in the amino acid sequences of the proteins also occurred convergently". The title of the paper is "Genome of the pitcher plant Cephalotus reveals genetic changes associated with carnivory".

"According to the results, leaves that catch insects have gained new enzymatic functions: basic chitinase, which breaks down chitin (main component of insects' exoskeleton), and purple acid phosphatase which releases phosphate groups from molecules, and it contributes to the mobilization of the prey's phosphate", says professor Julio Rozas, who leads the Evolutionary Genomics and Bioinformatics research group at the University of Barcelona.

Related:

Sixty-four per cent of the teens admitted they tried dripping to get thicker clouds of vapour so they could pull off smoke tricks. Scientists still don't know the long and short-term effects of vaping on the lungs, Krishnan-Sarin said.

His J9 Foundation released an update on his condition on Sunday, saying Van der Westhuizen was "putting up an incredible fight". He made a crucial tackle on New Zealand's giant try-scoring machine Jonah Lomu as his team went on to win 15-12 in extra time.

Wednesday night's lecture by Yiannopoulos at the university was cancelled after violent protests against the talk broke out. Officials said , "it was impossible to maintain order given the level of threat, disruption and organized violence".

The White House said the move violated the Security Council resolution proscribing missiles that could carry a nuclear device. The US Treasury Department announced the measures against 13 people and a dozen companies on Friday.

Mulayam had earlier announced that he would not campaign for the SP-Congress alliance in the run up to the state assembly polls. Shah asserted that as soon as the BJP xcomes to power, the mafia, criminals and land sharks will be brought to justice.

Speaking to French television stationCanal+, the 25-year-old said he believes the time to leave Ligue 1 has almost arrived. The French club will not let their hot property go cheap though and are reportedly looking for a fee of £40million.

Previous DNA samples found on Vetrano's body couldn't be linked to suspects listed in databases of convicted criminals. Lewis' DNA matched samples found at the scene. "We've been in a state of shock for six months", Cathy Vetrano said.

The Palestinians claim the West Bank and east Jerusalem , captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, as parts of a future state. Although on record as supportive of a two-state solution, Netanayhu has been increasingly tired of the concept.

Taking the ball down from the sky Aboubakar then flicked it over one defender before volleying home, prompting incredible scenes. However, just before the hour mark, their backline was breached, with Nicolas Nkoulou rising superbly to power home a header.

Madonna Has Reportedly Adopted Twins From Malawi
But it has since been revealed she was in fact seeking to take in four-year-old twins Esther and Stella Mwale. The mega-selling pop singer has two other children, Lourdes and Rocco, from previous relationships.

Missouri 28th State To Enact Right-To-Work Law
Kentucky legislators passed a similar law earlier this year, and legislators in New Hampshire are working on their own version. They say that without adequate union representation, wages will fall and workers will lose out on potential benefits.

Captain Cook steps down to focus on batting
Previously, Cook had led England for six years and 59 test matches, winning on 24 occasions after succeeding Andrew Strauss. Though Cook managed to score a century in the first Test, but the series ended with a rampant Indian victory.

Sasikala to be Tamil Nadu CM
How can someone not elected by the people become Chief Minister? The AIADMK had earlier explained its choice of chief minister. On Februray 3, Sasikala had appointed senior leaders, including some former Ministers and a former Mayor, to key party posts.

Lockheed, Pentagon Reach $8.2 Billion Deal For 90 F-35s
The agreement, worth $8.5 billion for 90 Joint Strike Fighters, would bring the cost of the F-35 to its lowest point ever. For the decade 2011 to 2020, the F-35 program will create more jobs than any other Department of Defense initiative.

CBCP blasts 'silent accomplices' in drug killings
A recent Amnesty report carries accounts of officers taking payments for killings and the delivery of bodies to funeral homes. The church made this known in sermons read at mass across the country this weekend, three church sources said on Saturday.

Merkel Says Europe's Future Could Be Two-Speed
Still, he said that there was a clearly alignment between May's view and those of the other European Union leaders. She added: "There will be points on which we agree, for example the struggle against worldwide terrorism".

England stumbles home for win over France
France's Rabah Slimani then silenced Twickenham with a try to wrestle back the lead and put England on the ropes again. Eddie Jones praised his side's win against France , saying "the performance was ugly, but the result is lovely ".